St. Thomas Law Loan Repayment Assistance Program

General Description of the Program

In recognition of our mission that “graduates leave with…a readiness to contribute to society with compassion, faith, and sensitivity to the poor and disadvantaged,” St. Thomas University Benjamin L. Crump College of Law has established the St. Thomas University Benjamin L. Crump College of Law Loan Repayment Assistance Program (LRAP). The purpose of the LRAP is to encourage graduates to seek law-related public interest careers. The program is currently funded through two endowments: The Mr. and Mrs. Stanley G. Tate Loan Forgiveness Fund, and the John and June Mary Makdisi Loan Forgiveness Fund. From time to time, the College of Law also receives matching gifts to further support this program. Therefore, the amount available for awards each year varies.

Eligibility

The goal of LRAP is to encourage St. Thomas Law graduates to pursue public interest careers. In order to be considered for the LRAP, applicants must: (1) have graduated from St. Thomas University College of Law; (2) be employed on a full-time basis in a qualifying, public interest position; (3) earn an income, during the award year, that does not exceed the maximum qualifying income established by the LRAP committee; and (4) not have defaulted on their educational loans.

Application Process

To apply for the LRAP, applicants must submit the LRAP Application and all supporting material (see Program Information) by mail to: Attn: LRAP, St. Thomas University Benjamin L. Crump College of Law, Office for Career Development, 16401 NW 37th Ave., Miami, FL 33054. The application and all supporting material must be received by May 31, 2024, each year in order to be considered for the next award year.

For the academic year of 2024-25, the award year opens March 31, 2024, and closes May 31, 2024. The recipients are determined by a selection committee and the awards are renewable annually for a 12-month period. Awards will be announced by June 30, 2024. Awards will be disbursed in two payments, in September 2024 and March 2025. Each disbursement will be contingent on the applicant’s continued ability to qualify for the award. Individual award amounts will vary and may not exceed $6,000 per year.

For more information and any questions, please contact the Office for Career Development.